Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?

[Windy]

Being a "newbie", my question is...do you soak orchids in a full pot of water rather than just standard watering?

I save plastic tubs that salad greens come in and I could be using them instead.

[TylerK]

I don't think it matters too much which way you choose to water so long as:

1. When watering the "standard way" by pouring water in through the top you do it long enough to make sure everything is thoroughly wet.

2. When soaking you don't leave them standing in water for too long (I make sure not to leave mine in for more than an hour, but they shouldn't need any more than 15 min). Also make sure to soak them separately and not re-use the water so as to not spread any potential disease/bugs from one pot to another.

[Becca]

I agree with Tyler! I found that if I let mine sit too long while soaking that I start having fungus and mold issues in the potting medium. I think some of the mixtures I have dry out a little quick even though I am growing in a humid enviroment, so that is why I choose to soak mine for their weekly watering.

[Windy]

Tyler and Becca. Thanks so much for your replies. Yes, I'll use separate tubs for them. My orchids are surviving, but never seemed to keep them watered well enough and didn't want to overwater.